Companies working in the oil, gas and renewables industries across the East of England have signed a special covenants to support and employ ex-military personnel.
They promised to continue to employ people leaving the Army, Royal Navy and RAF by signing the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant at the East of England Energy Group’s (EEEGR) energy conference and exhibition, SNS2015.
The energy industry is the first choice second career for many servicemen and women leaving military bases in the region and wanting to build new lives remaining in the area.
Skills for Energy has been helping service leavers find routes into the industry for many.
Celia Anderson, executive director of EEEGR , said: “We have established a strong network of ex-military in the energy industry. Employing ex-military is helping address the skills gaps that constrain the industry the most.”
Companies including Perenco, CLS Offshore, Cooper Lomas, Petans, Lowestoft College and Turning Factor signed pledges in Armed Forces Corporate Covenants witnessed by Norfolk’s Armed Forces Commissioner, Tony Tomkinson.
Leading businessmen and ex-military Graham Hacon, chief executive of 3Sun, and Brandon Hannon, of GEV Offshore Ltd, actively employ service leavers for their Great Yarmouth-based businesses and hold the contribution of ex-military and reservists in high regard.
Mr Hacon, who has already signed the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant as a commitment to supporting the Armed Forces, said: “They are used to working as part of a team in demanding and hostile environments and being ex- Army myself, I know they transition into the energy industry well.”